France v Northern Ireland Prediction, Tips and Bet Builder

Didier Deschamps is heading towards the final weeks of his tenure as French boss and he'll want to head into the World Cup with a victory over Northern Ireland in Lille.

Les Bleus fell to a 2-1 loss against Ivory Coast in Nantes on Thursday, but they should rebound against a Northern Ireland side who ground out a 1-0 win over Guinea in Spain on the same evening.

France join Iraq, Norway and Senegal in Group I at the World Cup and, with their UEFA Champions League winners back in the mix, their attacking power may cause Michael O'Neill's side major concerns.

France v Northern Ireland Tips Summary

Best Bet - France to win & Over 3.5 goals @ 11/10
Alternative Bet - Michael Olise anytime goalscorer @ 1/1
Bet Builder - Half-Time/Full-Time - France/France, Marcus Thuram anytime goalscorer, Rayan Cherki 1+ shots on target & Northern Ireland Goalkeeper 4+ saves @ 9/2

France v Northern Ireland Prediction

Best Bet: France to win & Over 3.5 goals @ 11/10

This could be an entertaining evening in Lille. France were downed by Ivory Coast last time out but they should take care of what is going to be a youthful Irish selection.

Boss O'Neill signed a new contract recently and fielded a side with an average age of 22 in the win over Guinea in Cadiz.

Les Bleus have a track record of free-scoring in friendlies, hitting three or more goals in seven of their last 13. Meanwhile, both teams have found the net in four of Northern Ireland's last six friendly games.

They got on the scoresheet in their qualifying loss in Germany last September, going down 3-1, and could contribute here against a French side with just one clean sheet in their last six games.

With key attackers like Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue back in the fold after their exploits with Paris Saint-Germain and Kylian Mbappe, Marcus Thuram and Michael Olise all eager to impress, the goals may flow in Lille.

Alternative Bet: Michael Olise anytime goalscorer @ 1/1

Bayern Munich winger Olise played just 45 minutes against Ivory Coast and was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet in that opening half.

The 24-year-old finished his club season with six goals in his last eight starts and should get plenty of opportunities to run at this inexperienced Northern Ireland backline.

He has four goals in 16 starts for Les Bleus and can mark himself down for a major role this summer with a strike before departing for North America.

France v Northern Ireland Bet Builder Tip

• Half-Time/Full-Time - France/France

• Marcus Thuram anytime goalscorer

• Rayan Cherki 1+ shots on target

• Northern Ireland goalkeeper 4+ saves

  Pays 9/2

For this bet builder France are taken to establish their dominance early on and win.

Les Bleus are 1/9 to win the game and there is some value in having them in the Half-Time/Full-Time market as they have led at the break in each of their last four games since a 4-0 win over Ukraine in November in which all the goals came in the second half.

Northern Ireland did hold out for 56 minutes in their play-off loss against Italy in March, but the Azzurri were a faltering side then and France have an array of attacking talents that may pick holes in their youthful defence.

It was a tough season for Pierce Charles at Sheffield Wednesday and the NI goalkeeper is set for a busy evening. He made two saves against Guinea and could at least double that here.

Rayan Cherki scored in France's loss against Ivory Coast and was excellent throughout. The Manchester City ace had more touches than anyone, including a game-high eight in the opposition box. He had two shots on target and can add at least another one.

After the March international break Marcus Thuram scored six goals in six games for Inter Milan. He also netted against Colombia in a friendly win in the spring and can bag his fourth international goal.

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Key Match Stats

• France have scored at least three goals in seven of their last 13 friendly games

• Over 2.5 goals have been scored in Les Bleus' previous eight games

• Both teams have scored in four of Northern Ireland's last six friendlies

• This is the first meeting of these two nations since Lilian Laslandes notched the only goal of the game at Windsor Park in 1999

• France are top of the FIFA rankings, with Northern Ireland rated 70th

• Didier Deschamps' side won five of their six World Cup qualifiers (D1), scoring 16 goals

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.